In our regular PA Profile interview with an EA or PA, PA Life chats with Anna Petrides, a dedicated and dynamic professional who balances her role as an Executive Assistant with organising company events. She believes reliability, a great sense of humour, and strong team spirit are at the heart of a successful assistant career – qualities that saw her win Project Lead at the PA Life Star Awards 2025. Anna will also be joining the keynote panel at the PA Life Summit this September…
This PA Profile interview with Executive Assistant Anna Petrides was first published in PA Life magazine’s Autumn s2026 Issue – which is now out in print and as a digital version.
Huge congratulations for winning the Project Lead Star 2025 award.
Has this professional recognition been of benefit to you professionally?
It’s been really nice to be recognised for something that sits slightly outside of my day-to-day role, but is still a huge part of what I do. I love organising events and leading on projects, especially when it brings people together, whether that’s to network or push themselves out of their comfort zones.
The award definitely gave me a bit of confidence and reassurance that what I’m doing is working which is always nice to hear!
You have progressed from a team assistant role to an EA in just five years? How did you do it?
I was really lucky to join a business that was growing quickly, which meant I got exposure to a lot early on. When I started, there were only 24 of us, so I ended up knowing pretty much everything about how the business operated – which has been invaluable now we’re over 250 people.
I built strong relationships with senior members of the team early on and just said yes to as much as I could, which meant I was constantly learning and taking on more. That’s what ultimately helped me progress from a Team Assistant to an EA within five years.
What do you enjoy most in being an EA?
I love the variety – no two days are the same, and I genuinely thrive on that. One minute I’m organising global CEO calls, the next I’m leading something like an office move – it keeps you on your toes.
What really makes it though is the partnership. I’m fortunate to have a CEO who gives me a proper seat at the table and values my input. You’re not just keeping things ticking over, you’re actually adding value – and that’s when the role becomes so much more impactful.
And what are the most challenging parts of being an EA?
Control is very much an illusion in this role. You’re constantly navigating different personalities, priorities and hierarchies, which definitely keeps you on your toes. On top of that, your day can change in a heartbeat, so you’re always reassessing what actually matters and pivoting quickly to keep things running smoothly.
It’s a bit of organised chaos, but if you enjoy spinning plates and staying one step ahead, that’s part of the fun!
What three qualities make you an outstanding Executive Assistant?
Interpersonal skills: I build strong relationships quickly and know how to read the room.
Proactivity: I stay one step ahead and handle things before they become problems.
Discretion: I know what needs to be shared, and what absolutely doesn’t.
What advice would you give to aspiring assistants aiming to climb the career ladder?
Don’t wait to be asked, put your hand up and get stuck into everything. That’s how you show your value (and make yourself slightly indispensable). The role isn’t fixed, it’s what you make of it, so don’t let yourself get pigeon‑holed into one lane.
Say yes, stay curious, and back yourself, the opportunities tend to follow when people realise you just get things done.
Do you anticipate the assistant role to undergo big changes due to use of AI?
I don’t think AI is here to replace assistants, it’s here to make us faster and better at what we already do. It takes away the low‑value, time‑consuming tasks, which frees us up to focus on the parts of the role that actually add value…and where we make the biggest impact.
Are you concerned about any aspects of AI in your role and in business in general?
We’ve embraced AI early as a business, so I’ve never really been worried about it, if anything, it’s quite exciting! It takes away the low‑value tasks no one really wants to be doing anyway, but the key is not letting it take over the parts that make us good at our jobs. Because you can’t automate personality, trust or instinct…and that’s exactly what makes a great assistant.
Which tools, or tech do you rely on most in your role, and how do they help you stay efficient and organised?
We use Copilot a lot, and it’s brilliant for pulling together information quickly and turning it into something actually usable, especially when you’re juggling multiple things at once.
I also love Microsoft Loop. My team’s workspace has become our central hub, and the fact you can link things like agendas straight into meeting invites and update them live is a game changer.
That said, I’m still a sucker for pen and paper. When everything feels a bit chaotic, writing things down gets it out of my head and onto a page without the risk of it being forgotten…and there’s something very satisfying about ticking it off manually.
How would your ideal day at work look like?
A cup of tea at the breakfast bar catching up with the team before the day starts is always a good sign. A clear inbox would be ideal, although that might be slightly optimistic…And then having the time to actually plan ahead properly, rather than constantly reacting, so you feel one step ahead instead of chasing your tail all day.
Which restaurants and hotels do you favour for your execs and clients, in London or anywhere else?
I’ve got a few go‑to spots I come back to again and again. Lantana is a firm favourite for breakfast at the moment, and for lunch I tend to gravitate towards places like Norma, Mortimer Street Kitchen and Lima.
For hotels, The Reach in Manchester is a great option, and The Kings Head in Cirencester is a favourite, especially for events. The Grove is always a safe bet, and Wildhive Eshott Hall was perfect for an offsite last year.
Having a handful of tried and trusted options you know won’t let you down is key, it takes the stress out of booking and you know you’re putting people somewhere good.
If you weren’t an EA today, what would you be?
A marine biologist, 100%. I’m a complete water baby and would be in the ocean full time if I could. Unfortunately, the not-so-good-at-science part might have been my downfall…
What are the positives of being a PA Life Club member for you?
The newsletters are genuinely great, loads of useful tips and articles that actually feel relevant to what we deal with day to day. The in‑person events are a big highlight too, it’s always nice to meet people who understand the role, share a few war stories and build new connections along the way.
How important is networking for you? Any tips?
It’s really important, I think it’s one of the most valuable things you can do in this role.
Get stuck in and get yourself to as many events as possible, even if it feels a bit out of your comfort zone at first.
It can be quite a lonely role sometimes, especially if you’re the only assistant, so having a network of people who just get it makes a huge difference. And let’s be honest, it’s always good to have people you can sanity check things with.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
My dad always used to say, “you’ve got to get through the no’s to find the yes’s,” which has definitely stuck with me.
It’s basically just a reminder not to take things too personally, keep going, and don’t stop at the first no, there’s usually a better answer not too far behind.
Anna on a medal podium after a triathlon
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Recently I’ve got really into the gym and strength training, which is something I never thought I’d say. I’ve even become an early morning person, and those sessions are my bit of calm before the chaos starts.
I’m also a keen swimmer, so I’m in the pool whenever I can… I clearly just prefer being in water.
What’s next for our PA Profile Anna Petrides, Executive Assistant?
I’m really excited to see where we go as a business over the next few years, especially with how fast things like AI are moving. The journey so far has been incredible, and I’m looking forward to growing with the business and being part of whatever comes next.
Personally, I’m not great at sitting still, so I’m always looking for the next challenge, whether that’s developing my team, taking on more responsibility or pushing myself slightly out of my comfort zone. That mindset seems to follow me outside of work too… I’m off to Fiji in August to dive with sharks.
If I can handle that, everything else should feel pretty manageable!
Connect with Anna in LinkedIn
